Something of a consensus has emerged around the notion that President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE is primarily focused on investment, not addressing regional political crises, conflicts, or Iran’s nuclear program.
This is true. However, whether deliberately or not, many people have failed to recognize another aspect of this visit. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is receiving the American president in Riyadh at a time when Saudi-American relations are better than they have ever been, in every way.
Many also overlook the fact that this relationship had begun to peak years ago, during former US President Joe Biden’s term. Despite all that was said during his campaign and in the first year of time in the White House, we have all read the subsequent chapters of the story.
Trump is visiting Saudi Arabia at a time when there are no outstanding issues between the two countries. In fact, this might be the first visit by a US president to Saudi Arabia, which is not expected to address a Saudi-American crisis in 20 years.
Today, Saudi Arabia is moving forward with a massive investment project and political, economic, and social reforms. This project will benefit the entire region. Indeed, we can already see this after Vision 2030 achieved most of its targets ahead of schedule.
Led by Crown Prince Mohammed, Vision 2030 aims to contain crises, broaden investment and partnership, and promote stability throughout the region - from Iran to Syria and Lebanon, through Iraq and the Gulf states.
It is said that Trump is visiting Saudi Arabia to attract investments. However, this objective is not limited to Trump, who pledged to end wars and restore his country’s former glory, it also is the goal of the European and East Asian countries, from Japan to China.
Looking back on the past six months, we find that nearly every European, Asian, and Arab leader has visited Saudi Arabia seeking partnership and investment within the framework of Vision 2030.
Politically, Saudi Arabia has been the driving force behind efforts to address regional crises and find solutions. We can see this from its response to the war in Gaza, which it has worked tirelessly to resolve since day one, traveling the world and hosting summits in pursuit of peace, and creating a solid link between peace and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Saudi Arabia hosted the first and foundational Russian-Ukrainian talks. It has also put forward solutions for Yemen despite the intransigence of the Houthis, who only began to reconsider Saudi proposals after American strikes. Saudi Arabia is the pillar of stability in post-Assad Syria. It has led the push for Syria’s reintegration into the Arab fold and is now working to do the same on the international level, including with the United States.
The Iranian foreign minister visits and communicates with Riyadh more regularly than some Arab or Gulf foreign ministers, as Saudi Arabia supports a negotiated solution for Iran’s nuclear program, and it opposes escalation and war.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia is centered on economic partnership. Indeed, prioritizing economic goals aligns perfectly with Crown Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030, especially now that it has met many of its targets ahead of schedule.
It also aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s strategic realignment, which has become laser-focused on reinforcing stability and pursuing prosperity.
